Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Barry Moore
Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Barry Moore (AL-02) released a statement after voting against a continuing resolution that funds the woke, weaponized and wasteful spending of the Biden-Harris Administration until December 20th.
Moore previously supported a six-month continuing resolution that included the SAVE Act, but failed to pass. This legislation would have amended the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of United States citizenship to register an individual to vote in elections for Federal office. Moore is a co-sponsor of this legislation.
Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, more than eight million illegal aliens have entered our country. In many states, these illegals are eligible for driver’s licenses and other benefits, providing ample opportunities to register to vote in federal elections. The SAVE Act passed the House in July, but Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer refuses to consider it in the Senate.
“This continuing resolution does not contain a single conservative win for American families or cut a single penny of the Biden-Harris Administration’s out-of-control spending,” said Moore. “It’s past time conservatives held bureaucrats’ feet to the fire, and I refuse to ride shotgun while the Uniparty drives our country off a cliff.”
The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Siaosi ‘OfakivahafolauSovaleni, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga. He congratulated Tonga for successfully hosting the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in August. The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister exchanged views on early warning and the Pacific Resilience Facility in addition to other Pacific Islands Forum priorities.
The U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia traveled to the Sendai region of Japan on a mission to honor the victims and survivors of the earthquake and tsunami disaster that occurred on March 11, 2011, bringing with them the same spirit of hope and solidarity that first united them with the community 13 years ago.
The band, along with The Greatlanders Jazz Band from Elmendorf Air Base in Alaska, visited the area to bring hope and unity through music as part of Operation Tomodachi, the Japanese word for “friendship”. Operation Tomodachi occurred between 12 March to 4 May, 2011, as a disaster relief imitative following the 9.0 Tokohu earthquake and subsequent tsumani that struck the eastern coast of Japan. The effort involved more than 24,000 U.S. military service members from all branches of service. The U.S. Air Force Bands played a significant role in boosting morale during and after this initiative by offering concerts for those affected and brought a ray of hope amidst a historical disaster.
The band performed in Kabanomachi Elementary School in August, 2011, where the gymnasium had been converted into a shelter for families displaced by the disaster. Thirteen years later and the band retraced their steps in the Sendai region, returning to Kabannomachi Elementary to play once more, their hearts filled with memories of resilience, loss, and the unbreakable bond formed with local residents during those critical days.
Masato Yagi, U.S. Band of the Pacific-Asia community relations specialist for the past 25 years, coordinated the band’s presence at both the initial performance in 2011 and the most recent concert in 2024.
“Many people flocked to the Sendai area to provide disaster relief immediately following the tsunami, and the Band of the Pacific-Asia wanted to help in our own way by bringing music to cheer up dislocated people,” Yagi said. “This most recent performance was special because it was the first time we have returned since that initial concert. We want to let the people here know that we still care.”
This visit was more than just a performance—it was a heartfelt tribute to the people who had lost so much, and a reminder that they were never forgotten. As they played, familiar notes filled the gymnasium once again, the music was a reminder not just of a tragedy, but of the enduring friendship between the U.S. and Japan. The band’s return was an affirmation that the compassion and solidarity shown in the immediate aftermath of the disaster had not faded with time.
Operation Tomodachi was always about more than providing aid to mission partners and to neighbors; it was evidence of the continual effort to build a bridge between two nations, and performances such as these reinforce that lasting connection. The band’s performance serves as to remind people that in the face of unimaginable tragedy, friendship and support can endure, transcending time, distance, and culture. This spirit of remembrance and hope continues to resonate throughout the connection between the U.S. and Japan, growing with each effort.
BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) announced it awarded a $61,492,477 contract to Korte Construction Company for the construction and renovation of a building for use as an Aircraft Maintenance Facility to accommodate the Disaster Resiliency Program mission. The work is expected to be completed on October 8, 2026, and will be performed at Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB).
“While it may have seemed unlikely in 2010, operations at Grand Forks Air Force Base continue to grow, and improvements and growth go hand in hand,”said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC).“This contract is a welcome development to renovate the Aircraft Maintenance Facility and ensure our airmen have a modern building to meet the needs of today’s threats.”
Cramer has used his seat on SASC to support military installations and defense ecosystem partnerships in North Dakota. In August, Cramer flipped the switch to bring the Space Development Agency (SDA) Operations Center North online at GFAFB, participated in a Grand Forks Base Retention Committee meeting, toured the University of North Dakota (UND) National Security Corridor, and announced new Navy personnel at GFAFB. Cramer also joined E-Space CEO Greg Wyler in meeting with UND faculty and SDA staff to discuss workforce development and initiatives, and announced educational initiatives between SDA and UND.
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – Recognizing tennis great Billie Jean King’s groundbreaking contributions both on and off the court, President Joe Biden signed legislation into law this week honoring Billie Jean King, 80, as the first individual female athlete to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) cosponsored bipartisan legislation (S. 2861) to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Billie Jean King, a tennis legend and American icon who was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island in 1987 and presented with her official Hall of Fame ring in 2015.
Senator Reed congratulated King, stating: “A champion on and off the court, Billie Jean King was known for having a great serve and serving as a great role model and advancing equality. She transcends sports and is someone who has blazed a trail and leveled the playing field to give others more opportunities than she herself had. I congratulate her for earning this well-deserved achievement and I know she’ll continue to serve as an ambassador for the sport and an inspiration for future generations.”
Throughout her career, Billie Jean King’s outstanding play and groundbreaking leadership and advocacy helped advance equal rights for women in athletics, education, and society at large. King was instrumental in securing equal prize money in men’s and women’s tennis at the U.S. Open, spearheaded the formation of the Women’s Tennis Association, and brought worldwide attention to pay equality throughout her career and in her “Battle of the Sexes” match against Bobby Riggs.
The U.S. Open, which began in 1881 as a men’s-only game on grass courts in Newport, Rhode Island, is now held annually in Flushing, Queens, at the U.S. Tennis Association’s (USTA) Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Thanks in large part to the unrelenting activism of Billie Jean King, the U.S. Open became the first sporting event to offer equal prize money to female and male competitors.
Over the course of her career, King captured 39 Grand Slam tennis titles in singles (12), doubles (16) and mixed doubles (11).
Commissioned by Congress, the Congressional Gold Medal has been awarded as an expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions to society. Prior to Billie Jean King earning the award this year, it had been bestowed upon several individual athletes, including Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens, Roberto Clemente, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Byron Nelson, Willie O’Ree, Greg LeMond, Larry Doby, Joe Louis, as well as the 1980 U.S. Olympic team.
Once again, Billie Jean King blazed a trail that others will undoubtedly follow.
Hassan Nasrallah was a terrorist with American blood on his hands. Across decades, his leadership of Hezbollah destabilized the Middle East and led to the killing of countless innocent people in Lebanon, Israel, Syria, and around the world. Today, Hezbollah’s victims have a measure of justice.
I have an unwavering commitment to the security of Israel. I will always support Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.
President Biden and I do not want to see conflict in the Middle East escalate into a broader regional war. We have been working on a diplomatic solution along the Israel-Lebanon border so that people can safely return home on both sides of that border. Diplomacy remains the best path forward to protect civilians and achieve lasting stability in the region.
The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Siaosi ‘OfakivahafolauSovaleni, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga. He congratulated Tonga for successfully hosting the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in August. The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister exchanged views on early warning and the Pacific Resilience Facility in addition to other Pacific Islands Forum priorities.
The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Francis Fonseca, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belize. The Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister exchanged views on Small Island Developing States and the implementation of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index. They also discussed regional issues, including Haiti and the bilateral relations between Belize and Guatemala.
The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The Secretary-General highlighted Egypt’s important regional role, in particular its political and humanitarian role in support of the people of Gaza.
The Secretary-General and the Minister also discussed the situation in Libya, Sudan and the Horn of Africa, and agreed on the importance of political dialogue to resolve ongoing conflicts.
The Secretary-General met with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See.
The interlocutors discussed cooperation between the United Nations and the Holy See and exchanged views about international and regional issues of mutual concern, including the war in Ukraine.
The two crew members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission launched at 1:17 p.m. EDT Saturday, for a science expedition aboard the International Space Station. This is the first human spaceflight mission launched from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, and the agency’s ninth commercial crew rotation mission to the space station. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled the Dragon spacecraft into orbit carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The spacecraft will dock autonomously to the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at approximately 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 29, where Hague and Gorbunov will join Expedition 72 for a five-month stay aboard the orbiting laboratory. “This mission required a lot of operational and planning flexibility. I congratulate the entire team on a successful launch today, and godspeed to Nick and Aleksandr as they make their way to the space station,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Our NASA wizards and our commercial and international partners have shown once again the success that comes from working together and adapting to changing circumstances without sacrificing the safe and professional operations of the International Space Station.” During Dragon’s flight, SpaceX will monitor a series of automatic spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California. NASA will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA will provide live coverage of rendezvous, docking, and hatch opening, beginning at 3:30 p.m., Sept. 29, on NASA+ and the agency’s website. NASA also will broadcast the crew welcome ceremony once Hague and Gorbunov are aboard the orbital outpost. Learn how to stream NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media. The duo will join the space station’s Expedition 72 crew of NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, Matthew Dominick, Jeanette Epps, Don Pettit, Butch Wilmore, and Suni Williams, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner. The number of crew aboard the space station will increase to 11 for a short time until Crew-8 members Barratt, Dominick, Epps, and Grebenkin depart the space station in early October. The crewmates will conduct more than 200 scientific investigations, including blood clotting studies, moisture effects on plants grown in space, and vision changes in astronauts during their mission. Following their stay aboard the space station, Hague and Gorbunov will be joined by Williams and Wilmore to return to Earth in February 2025. With this mission, NASA continues to maximize the use of the orbiting laboratory, where people have lived and worked continuously for more than 23 years, testing technologies, performing science, and developing the skills needed to operate future commercial destinations in low Earth orbit and explore farther from Earth. Research conducted at the space station benefits people on Earth and paves the way for future long-duration missions to the Moon under NASA’s Artemis campaign, and beyond. More about Crew-9 Hague is the commander of Crew-9 and is making his second trip to the orbital outpost since his selection as an astronaut in 2013. He will serve as a mission specialist during Expedition 72/73 aboard the space station. Follow @AstroHague on X and Instagram. Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov is flying on his first mission. He will serve as a flight engineer during Expeditions 72/73. Learn more about NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission and the agency’s Commercial Crew Program at: https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew -end- Josh Finch / Jimi RussellHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1100joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov / james.j.russell@nasa.gov Steven Siceloff / Danielle Sempsrott / Stephanie PlucinskyKennedy Space Center, Florida321-867-2468steven.p.siceloff@nasa.gov / danielle.c.semprott@nasa.gov / stephanie.n.plucinsky@nasa.gov Leah Cheshier / Sandra JonesJohnson Space Center, Houston281-483-5111leah.d.cheshier@nasa.gov / sandra.p.jones@nasa.gov
Even this grim death toll may be lower than the reality due to under-reporting in the country
The number of those put to death – including some for drugs offences – is the highest since 1990
‘Where else in the world is someone sentenced to death for this?’ – an Egyptian on death row after being convicted of possessing eight grams of hashish
The Saudi Arabian authorities have put to death at least 198 people so far in 2024, the highest number of executions recorded in the country since 1990, Amnesty International said today.
Earlier today, the official Saudi Press Agency confirmed that the 198th execution this year had been carried out, though the real number may be higher given the news agency has previously under-reported the true number of executions in the country.
In 2022, Saudi Arabia executed 196 people – the highest annual number of executions that Amnesty had recorded in the country in the last 30 years. In March 2022, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salma said that the country had “got rid of” the death penalty except for cases where it is mandated under Sharia. Yet, in November 2022, the authorities carried the first executions for drug-related offences in nearly three years, reversing a moratorium on executions for such offences which was announced by the Saudi Human Rights Commission in 2021.
Earlier this year, Amnesty analysed the country’s draft penal code which codifies the death penalty as a punishment and continues to enable judges to use their discretion to impose death sentences for murder, rape, blasphemy and apostasy.
Despite repeated promises to limit the use of the death penalty, the Saudi authorities have ramped up executions while routinely failing to abide by international fair trial standards and safeguards for defendants. Executions for drug-related crimes have soared this year, with 53 carried out so far – with an average of one execution every two days in July alone – rising from just two drug-related executions in 2023.
The authorities have also weaponised the death penalty to silence political dissent, punishing citizens from the country’s Shi’a minority who’ve supported “anti-government” protests between 2011 and 2013. On 17 August, the Saudi Press Agency announced the execution of Abdulmajeed al-Nimr, a retired traffic police officer, for terrorism-related offences related to joining Al-Qaeda. However, his court documents tell another story about his charges, which are related to his alleged support for “anti-government” protests in the country’s Shi’a-majority Eastern Province.
According to a court document reviewed by Amnesty, he was initially sentenced on 25 October 2021 by the Specialised Criminal Court to nine years in prison on charges of “seeking to destabilise the social fabric and national unity by participating in demonstrations … supporting riots, chanting slogans against the state and its rulers”, as well as “dissenting against the decision to arrest and prosecute wanted individuals”, and for joining a WhatsApp group that included people wanted for security purposes. On appeal, his punishment was increased to a death sentence. The court did not make a single reference to Al-Nimr’s supposed involvement with Al-Qaeda.
After Al-Nimr’s arrest on 28 October 2017 he was denied access to a lawyer for around two years during his interrogations and pre-trial detention. He spent three months in detention without being informed of the reason for his arrest. According to the court document, Al-Nimr’s conviction was based solely on a “confession” he said was obtained under duress, including being detained in solitary confinement for a month-and-a-half.
Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, said:
“The death penalty is an abhorrent and inhuman punishment which Saudi Arabia has used against people for a wide range of offences, including political dissent and drug-related charges following grossly unfair trials.
“The authorities must immediately establish a moratorium on executions, and order re-trials for those on death row in line with international standards without resorting to the death penalty.”
Executed for drugs offences
So far in 2024, the Saudi authorities have executed 53 people solely for drug-related offences. Only two such offences were recorded in the country in 2023. Since July, 53 people have been executed for drug-related offences, 38 of whom were foreign nationals. This spike in executions raises serious fears for the fate of dozens of prisoners convicted of similar offences and currently on death row. Earlier today, the authorities executed two Egyptian men who were detained in Tabuk Prison for drug-related crimes.
Amnesty has previously documented the cases of four Egyptian men held on death row in Tabuk Prison for drug-related offences. The four are among a group of at least 50 people on death row for drug-related crimes in Tabuk Prisons, the majority of whom are Egyptian.
This month, Omar (a pseudonym), one of the detained men, told Amnesty:
“I’ve been on death row for seven years for the possession of eight grams of hashish. I was also convicted of the intent to receive drugs, which I didn’t confess to and have denied. Where else in the world is someone sentenced to death for this? I have asked all governmental entities who may know – from the Ministry of Interior to the Supreme Judicial Council, and no one could tell me the status of my case. My son grew up without me for seven years. This makes me feel like I’m already a dead man … A few days ago, I shared a final meal with one of my fellow inmates before he was taken to be executed the next morning. He didn’t know about his impending execution until that morning. All I want to know is the status of my case.”
The authorities sentenced these men to death in January 2019 on various drug-related charges and upheld the sentence in November 2019. Since then, the men have received no information about the status of their case. According to the court document analysed by Amnesty, the four men had no legal representation throughout their pre-trial detention, interrogations and preliminary trial resulting in their death sentence. Following their conviction, the court stated that they have the right to a legal representative to submit appeal proceedings. However, the court only appointed a lawyer for one of the men.
Statement from Premier Wab Kinew on Fallen Firefighter Ceremony
As Manitobans gather to honour fallen firefighters, I encourage all of us to take time to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Six names are being added to the memorial this year and each name represents one of the brave Manitobans we lost this year that have left a legacy of service.
Each of them lived up to the belief we all have as Manitobans that we don’t leave anyone behind and we help those who need it most. We get up every day and work together to make this province a better place, no matter what walk of life you come from.
Firefighters show up for us on some of our worst days and show incredible bravery and courage each day in carrying out their duties.
As a government, we will continue to work to support those who keep our communities safe.
Painting of an unknown 21-year-old man, widely supposed to be Christopher Marlowe (1585).Corpus Christi College
In Shakespeare’s time, about a quarter of all plays were collaboratively written by two or more dramatists. Christopher Marlowe’s classic work Doctor Faustus was first performed in the 1580s or early 1590s but only published in 1604, 11 years after his death. The dramatists Samuel Rowley and William Bird were paid in 1602 to write new additions to the play.
However, researchers have long suspected that the original play was not written by Marlowe alone. Its broader comic parts, largely in prose, have been thought to be the work of a second writer who never got the credit they deserved.
Previous research has suggested one of the dramatists Thomas Nashe or Henry Porter. Nashe left us only one play, Summer’s Last Will and Testament (1592). Porter wrote several in collaboration with other dramatists, but only one sole-authored play survives, The Two Angry Women of Abingdon (1599).
So, can a new computer analysis of texts resolve this question and finally credit the second author of Doctor Faustus?
In an article in the journal Notes & Queries and a piece in the Guardian, Darren Freebury-Jones describes computer techniques that point to Marlowe’s co-author being Porter. But we have found methodological problems in Freebury-Jones’s approach, and believe the evidence he presents does not support the conclusions he draws from it.
Computational analysis can certainly generate new knowledge about authorship, but his work is not a convincing example of this burgeoning art.
Unique matches
Freebury-Jones’s Notes & Queries article presents tables from a free online dataset, Collocations and N-Grams, created by independent Shakespeare analyst Pervez Rizvi. For 527 plays from the 1550s to the 1650s (pretty much all of those that have survived from this period), the dataset lists all four-word phrases that each play has in common with the other 526.
But the phrases Rizvi considers most significant are those that appear only in the play under consideration and one other play – known as “unique matches”. For each of the 527 plays, he ranks which other plays have the most unique matches to it.
If these rare phrases are particular to each dramatist’s idiolect (unique way of speaking), then researchers should, for example, find at the top of the Macbeth table some other plays by Shakespeare. And we do: among the top-ten plays that share the most unique matches with Macbeth are Julius Caesar, Coriolanus, King Lear and Hamlet.
But while the top-ten list for Macbeth gives grounds for optimism about Freebury-Jones’s method, since four of its plays are Shakespeare’s, the top-ten list for Doctor Faustus, reproduced below, dashes this:
The Taming of a Shrew
A Trick to Catch the Old One
The Devil’s Charter
Albumazar
Caesar and Pompey, or Caesar’s Revenge
The Family of Love
Messalina, the Roman Empress
The Sisters
The Two Angry Women of Abingdon
Tamburlaine
While Porter is present in this list as the author of The Two Angry Women of Abingdon, Marlowe himself has only one play in it: Tamburlaine (1587) at position ten. If this method were detecting authorship, Marlowe’s other plays should dominate the list, just as the Macbeth list is dominated by Shakespeare plays.
Moreover, Porter’s play also appears at number ten for unique matches with Macbeth. This suggests the evidence for Porter being a coauthor of Macbeth is almost as strong as for Doctor Faustus – but Freebury-Jones makes no mention of this.
Illustration from the title page of a 1620 edition of Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus. John Wright
Porter can hardly be expected to dominate any top-ten list as Shakespeare does for Macbeth, since he left us only play. In contrast, with his roughly 1 million words of writing, Shakespeare presents a much greater “surface area” to any method that counts rare words or phrases – so he has more opportunities than anyone else to write the rare phrases we are looking for. To compensate for this, Rizvi discounts the significance of matches to authors with large canons.
Freebury-Jones mentions that the raw counts “are divided by the combined word counts for each pairing”, which is the scaling process Rizvi describes in the notes to Collocations and N-Grams. But nobody knows if this is the right way to scale for different canons or not, because the science of this problem has not been explored.
Rizvi changed his scaling formula in 2018 at my (Gabriel Egan’s) suggestion. But I did not claim to have solved the problem, and I consider it an open question whether we can derive a fair formula for such scaling.
Furthermore, Rizvi’s dataset does not distinguish between the plays that Shakespeare wrote alone and those he co-wrote, so his scaling factor treats as Shakespeare’s some substantial writings of other authors.
Further problems
This highlights another question with the analysis. In the top-ten list for unique matches with Macbeth are two plays co-authored by the dramatists Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher: The Woman Hater (1606) and Philaster (1620).
So, what should a researcher do when a play has more than one author? One response is to count matches to Beaumont’s part separately from matches to Fletcher’s part, using the widely accepted divisions of these two plays – as first proposed by Cyrus Hoy, an expert in the English Renaissance stage, in 1958. Alternatively, you could exclude co-authored plays entirely, as many authorship investigators do.
But Freebury-Jones says nothing about this problem of judging writers by their co-authored works. This consideration bears somewhat on Macbeth too, since many Shakespearians believe the playwright Thomas Middleton wrote about 5%-10% of it.
So where does all this leave Porter? Freebury-Jones ends his Notes & Queries piece with a cautious claim: “We may reasonably conclude that Henry Porter is a likelier candidate than [Thomas] Nashe for Marlowe’s collaborator on Doctor Faustus.”
But in speaking to the Guardian, he abandoned this caution. He reports being “astonished by just how close the dramatic language of Doctor Faustus actually was to Porter”, and insists that we must recognise “Porter as the most likely collaborator”.
It’s possible that Porter did co-write Doctor Faustus. But the problems with Freebury-Jones’s analysis mean that, for now, we still can’t say for sure.
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The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Washington, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul issued the following statement on the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike.
“Hezbollah is a brutal Iran-backed terrorist organization that has massacred and maimed people across the Middle East and around the world, including hundreds of Americans, for decades. For over 30 years, Hassan Nasrallah led Hezbollah terrorists as they attacked Israel, destabilized Lebanon, and murdered Syrians as an ally of Bashar al-Assad, Iran, and Russia. Nasrallah and the other Hezbollah leaders eliminated in recent weeks had the blood of thousands on their hands. The world is much safer without these evil terrorists.
“Israel did not start this escalation. Hezbollah has subjected Israel to near-daily attacks for almost 12 months since Hamas’ brutal October 7 attack. The United States would never tolerate constant attacks on our homeland, and nor should Israel. Hezbollah must immediately fully comply with UN Security Council Resolution 1701, including moving its terrorist forces away from the border with Israel and entirely stopping its rocket and missile attacks. And the United States must stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel, including promptly supplying defense articles and other military support, while Israel takes necessary action to restore its security.”
Police are appealing for assistance to locate a man who has absconded from a mental health facility in Kingsbury.
Officers were called shortly after 15:00hrs on Saturday, 14 September and informed that Trevor St Martins, 56, had absconded while on an escorted visit to shops.
Detectives have carried out extensive enquiries to locate him but he remains missing.
St Martins is described as 6ft tall and of medium build.
When last seen, he was wearing a black top, black jeans and a black hat.
Members of the public are advised not to approach him. For an immediate sighting call 999.
If you know of his whereabouts, please call 101 quoting CAD 4057/14.
Minister Loewen with his father, Paul, and his son, Tyler.
Alberta’s expansive rural landscapes are cherished by more than 150,000 hunters annually, and hunting has enduring significance for families and communities across our province. It serves not only as a means of sustenance and recreation, but also plays a vital role in wildlife management, conservation and supporting local economies.
During Provincial Hunting Day, youth aged 10 to 17 have the opportunity to hunt upland game birds in designated Wildlife Management Units during open seasons without needing a provincial game bird licence. Those who have completed the Alberta Conservation and Hunter Education course can use a firearm under the direct supervision of a parent, legal guardian or, with written permission, another adult who possesses a valid firearms licence.
“Starting to develop hunting skills at a young age is key. Teaching our youth about hunting safety and conservation principles empowers them to confidently plan their own hunting adventures in the future.”
Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks
Provincial Hunting Day also emphasizes the role of mentors in the hunting community. Through the generations, mentoring has fostered a deep respect for wildlife and the land among Albertans, creating positive connections and ensuring sustainable hunting practices.
Alberta’s Forestry and Parks department carefully manages hunting opportunities through regulated seasons, game quotas and policies grounded in scientific research and conservation principles. This ensures that Alberta maintains its reputation for world-class hunting while preserving its natural heritage for future generations to enjoy.
“Hunting has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. It’s early mornings, freezing toes and some of my best memories. I love hunting with my dad and getting outside, connecting with nature and knowing where my food comes from. For me, hunting’s more than a sport—it’s about family, friends and keeping traditions alive.”
Owen, 15-year old from Didsbury, Alberta
Quick facts
Hunting’s contribution to the Alberta economy is $1.1 billion annually, including licence sales, equipment and experiences directly related to hunting.
Upland game birds available for hunting include ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, blue grouse, spruce grouse, ptarmigan, pheasants and Hungarian partridge.
The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. The Secretary-General thanked Foreign Minister Wang Yi for China’s contribution to the United Nations and its activities. The Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister discussed the implementation of the Pact for the Future. They also discussed international and regional issues of concern. The Secretary-General expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation with China in all pillars of United Nations activity.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mireille Rebeiz, Chair of Middle East Studies & Associate Professor of Francophone & Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies, Dickinson College
A picture of the secretary-general of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah is seen among the rubble following an Israeli air strike.Str-/picture alliance via Getty Images
Israel has killed the leader of the militant group Hezbollah in a airstrike in Beirut, marking a further escalation of hostilities in the region.
The death of Hassan Nasrallah, confirmed by Hezbollah on Sept 28, 2024, forms part of a major Israeli push against the Iran-backed group in recent days that has resulted in the death of several top leaders – but also killed hundreds of civilians and left many more fleeing Lebanon’s south in fear of a ground invasion.
But what is Hezbollah? What exactly is its role in Lebanon? And how big a blow is Nasrallah’s death? The Conversation turned to Mireille Rebeiz, a Lebanon expert at Dickinson College who is writing her second book on Hezbollah, to help explain.
What is Hezbollah? And what role does it play in Lebanon?
Officially, the group came into existence in 1985 with the publication of a manifesto that detailed Hezbollah’s aims for the region. The manifesto outlined a plan to duplicate the Iranian revolution of 1979 in Lebanon and create a Shiite Islamic state. It pledged allegiance to the Supreme Leader of the Iranian Revolution, Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini, and vowed to fight the Israeli occupation of Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.
The Lebanese Civil War ended in 1991 with the signing of the “Taif Agreement,” in which warring factions agreed that a political and democratic process was the only way to move forward in Lebanon. Consequently, Hezbollah had to develop a political wing, and in 1992 Hezbollah entered the political ring, running for national elections and winning 12 out of 128 parliamentarian seats.
But while the peace agreement called for the disarmament of militia groups, Hezbollah was allowed to retain its armed wing as a “resistance” group, fighting Israeli occupation in south Lebanon.
Many Lebanese political parties allied themselves with Hezbollah at this juncture. While these parties did not necessarily share the group’s views or its commitment to Iran, they were similarly committed to fight the Israeli occupation, and Hezbollah fighters were the main force doing so.
Hezbollah’s presence in parliament and the Lebanese government, and its alliance with various political parties, allowed it to control the country and veto decisions that do not fit its agenda or promote its interest.
Since 2005, Lebanon has had three presidential lapses: from Nov. 2007 to May 2008, from May 2014 to October 2016, and from Oct. 31, 2023 until today. The parliamentarian Speaker, Nabih Berri, who is Shiite and known for his allegiance to Hezbollah, refuses to convene the parliament for presidential elections unless the nominee is approved by Hezbollah and its allies.
As well as having a political and military wing, Hezbollah also provides various services, such as social welfare, health care, utilities, education and even security to his community.
Is it right to see Hezbollah primarily as a Iran-backed militia?
Yes — Hezbollah is primarily an Iranian-backed militia. It exists to serve the Iranian regime and expand its ideology in the region, as set out in the group’s 1985 manifesto. In 2009, Hezbollah issued a new manifesto in which it reaffirmed its commitment to the Shiite Islamic resistance led by Tehran.
As to its financial and military support, in 2016, Nasrallah confirmed: “Hezbollah’s budget, everything it eats and drinks, its weapons and rockets, comes from the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Furthermore, with the backing of Iran, Hezbollah was able to create and expand its own illegal financial network through money laundering, drug trafficking and other unlawful activities.
Along with Iran, Syria has played a major role in Hezbollah’s development. The Taif Agreement called for Syrian Armed Forces to enter Lebanon for a two-year period to help establish law and order after more than a decade of civil war.
But it stayed in Lebanon for over 16 years, and the Syrian government’s closeness to the Iranian regime made Hezbollah a perfect ally. So much so, that when civil war broke out in Syria in 2011, Hezbollah emerged as a major actor in that conflict, sending thousands of Lebanese fighters to Syria to assist the government’s efforts to suppress a popular uprising.
But others started pushing for Hezbollah to cease its military operations and for the Lebanese Armed Forces to take over Hezbollah’s task in securing Lebanon’s borders.
The killing sparked massive anti-government, anti-Syrian and anti-Hezbollah protests on the streets of Beirut. The subsequent Cedar Revolution led to the departure of the Syrian forces from Lebanon and marked a drop in Hezbollah’s popularity, in general.
A Lebanese woman grieves the death of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri in 2005. Haitham Mussawi/AFP via Getty Images
This drop was apparent in the 2005 elections, in which an anti-Syrian and anti-Hezbollah political coalition claimed victory.
Since 2005, Lebanon has seen a series of events that indicate a clear opposition to Hezbollah. Several journalists and political figures were assassinated for speaking out against Hezbollah and Syria. Their deaths outraged many Lebanese.
And in 2015, the “You Stink” environmental movement was born to protest political corruption and Hezbollah’s control of waste management.
In 2019, a similar protest movement was born in which Lebanese took to the streets to express their frustration against corruption and inflation. Under the slogan “All Means All,” Lebanese protested all political parties — including Hezbollah.
These events indicate Lebanese dissatisfaction with Hezbollah.
A 2020 poll showed a drop in Hezbollah’s popularity even among the Shiite community, which makes up about a third of the population.
Polling during the almost year of hostilities following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hezbollah ally Hamas on Israel suggests that Hezbollah’s influence continues to exceed its popularity. An Arab Barometer poll of Lebanese in early 2024 found that only 30% trust Hezbollah, whereas 55% said they do not trust the group at all. While Hezbollah still retains the trust of 85% of Shiites, only 9% of Sunnis and Druze and 6% of Christians trust the militia.
What is Hezbollah’s structure?
Originally, Hezbollah leadership consisted of a religious council of seven members created in the 1980s; it has branches and committees that govern different affairs including finances, social, political and military issues. This religious council, or “Shura Council,” has regional offices in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley in the country’s eastern region and south Lebanon.
At the end of the Lebanese Civil War, two more bodies were added: an executive council and a politburo, or central political body. The religious council was chaired by Sayyid Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, who offered religious guidance to the Shiite community and was often described as Hezbollah’s spiritual leader.
Both the council and Hezbollah swear allegiance to Iran’s Supreme Leader. The council is also tasked to select Hezbollah’s Secretary General.
After the Israeli assassination of Hezbollah’s co-founder, Abbas al-Musawi, in 1992, Hassan Nasrallah assumed this role and remained Secretary General until his death in Beirut in the current Israeli campaign.
What impact will Nasrallah’s death have on Hezbollah’s operations?
The assassinations of Hezbollah commanders are meant to remove major decision-makers. The death of Secretary General Nasrallah is a definite blow to the group, which is already vulnerable from last week’s attacks. The goal is to demoralize its fighters.
Furthermore, these attacks convey a clear message that Israel will no longer accept the tit-for-tat attacks on its northern border.
However, Israel may not necessarily get its desired impact.
The situation now is fluid and it’s hard to predict what will happen next. But the fresh wave of violence may only reinforce Hezbollah’s resolve.
Furthermore, it might see more involvement of other Hezbollah-aligned players into the region, such as the Houthis in Yemen and Kata’ib Hizballah in Iraq.
Following the announcement of Nasrallah’s death, Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei threatened Israel and vowed more support to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Mireille Rebeiz is affiliated with the American Red Cross.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
On September 25, 2024, during a working visit to Donetsk, the rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev held a meeting with participants of the University Shifts project.
The rector met with the director’s advisor for educational work at secondary school No. 9 in the city of Snezhnoye, Tatyana Pilipenko, and the physical education teacher at Shakhtyorsky secondary school No. 18, Alina Shandyuk.
Let us recall that for a number of years, the staff of the State University of Management headed by Vladimir Stroyev has been creating methodological support for youth tourism for school teachers from the DPR within the framework of the project “University Shifts”. Tatyana Pilipenko and Alina Shandyuk have been cooperating with the State University of Management since the very first “University Shift” that took place at our university, helping to develop methodological recommendations as part of working groups.
As a result of the discussion, it was decided to expand the range of scientific and practical developments for the system of higher and additional education to implement the national task of training personnel to improve management in the tourism sector. The decision was made in accordance with the current task of achieving value sovereignty through the study of the history of Russia and the constituent elements of the cultural code of a Russian.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 09/28/2024
в ходе рабочего визита в Донецк ректор Государственного университета управления Владимир Строев провёл встречу с участницами проекта «Университетские смены»….” data-yashareImage=”https://guu.ru/wp-content/uploads/Визит-в-ДНР.-Универсмены.jpg” data-yashareLink=”https://guu.ru/%d0%b2%d0%bb%d0%b0%d0%b4%d0%b8%d0%bc%d0%b8%d1%80-%d1%81%d1%82%d1%80%d0%be%d0%b5%d0%b2-%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%be%d0%b2%d1%91%d0%bb-%d1%80%d0%b0%d0%b1%d0%be%d1%87%d1%83%d1%8e-%d0%b2%d1%81%d1%82%d1%80%d0%b5/”>
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) Honolulu completed quarterly surge operations in support of the U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam’s Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security (PWCS) mission in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands from Aug. 31 – Sept. 18, 2024.
During this period, MSST Honolulu, augmented by MSST San Francisco, provided a law enforcement capable tactical crew to bolster regional security efforts.
“We proudly support Sector Guam’s PWCS mission and strengthen our partnerships with local agencies. Through our joint operations, we are enhancing maritime security and ensuring the safety of our regional waters. Our crews love their time out here. Collaboration is key to our success, and we remain dedicated to serving the Marianas communities,” said Lt. j.g. Emily Titus, team lead of MSST Honolulu.
Key highlights from the operation include: • Joint Law Enforcement Missions: MSST Honolulu participated in multiple interagency law enforcement missions, including a joint shoreside patrol with Guam’s Department of Agriculture and NOAA Enforcement Division. Crews conducted over 13 hours of collaborative patrols, significantly enhancing interagency relationships.
• Surge Operations in Saipan: MSST personnel conducted surge LE operations in Saipan, completing 22 recreational boardings and engaging in four hours of joint patrols with Saipan’s Department of Public Safety.
• Operational Achievements: Completed 17 hours of joint interagency patrols.
• Interoperability Discussions: MSST Honolulu met with the Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam’s Enforcement Division and Guam’s Department of Agriculture to discuss interoperability and develop an operational plan for a 2025 deployment focused on marine protected species.
“The presence of MSST Honolulu as a force multiplier is invaluable. Their specialized capabilities enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to respond effectively to emerging threats and support interagency operations. By working alongside local partners, we increase our operational capacity and build stronger relationships that are essential for ensuring the safety and security of our maritime environment throughout the Marianas,” said Lt. Chelsea Garcia, the U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, Enforcement Division chief.
Additionally, MSST Honolulu’s commitment to regional security was underscored by their involvement in Operation Irensia in June, where the team provided mission law enforcement support and training for visiting crews. During their June 2023 deployment to Guam, MSST Honolulu played a vital role in recovery efforts following Typhoon Mawar, collaborating with U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy EOD Mobile Unit Five divers and Station Apra Harbor to remove obstructed buoys and conducting side scan sonar operations to reopen the port after a three-day closure. They also facilitated the first escort of essential supplies to the island once the port was operational again.
The ongoing collaboration and operational excellence demonstrated by MSST Honolulu and MSST San Francisco crews further solidifies the Coast Guard’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Guam’s waters and the surrounding regions.
-USCG- About U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam The U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam team focuses on maritime safety, security, and stewardship in Oceania. With a primary presence in Guam and Saipan and around 300 members across Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the team maintains a strong U.S. presence in the Micronesia sub-region and adjacent areas, closely tied to local communities.
About MSST Honolulu The Maritime Safety and Security Team Honolulu is a specialized unit of the U.S. Coast Guard dedicated to enhancing maritime security and safety in the Pacific region. With a highly trained personnel team equipped to conduct law enforcement operations, port security assessments, and emergency response activities, MSST Honolulu collaborates closely with local, state, and federal agencies to safeguard vital maritime infrastructure and natural resources.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)
“The operation was a response not only to Nasrallah’s decades of terror but also to Hezbollah’s recent repeated attacks on undisputed Israeli territory. Since October 8, 2023, Hezbollah terrorists have launched nearly 10,000 rockets at Israeli civilians. More than 60,000 people in Northern Israel have fled their homes to escape Hezbollah’s violence, unable to return for months on end.
“Israel has the right to defend itself, as does every other sovereign nation. Israel’s strikes against Hezbollah’s leadership, launch sites, and missile arsenal – especially its long-range rockets – are vital to dismantling the terrorist organization’s ability to carry out further attacks against the Israeli people on behalf of Iran.
“The world cannot allow Iran to rebuild its proxy network on Israel’s doorstep. Israelis, Lebanese, Syrians, and others in the region deserve to live free from Hezbollah’s interference, and the displaced ought to be able to return home. Hezbollah must not be allowed to return to the northern border, and Hamas must never reassert control over Gaza. This war will not end until these Iranian-backed terrorists are defeated. The United States stands firmly with our ally Israel in that effort.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Speaker Johnson, Whip Emmer, and Chairwoman Stefanik released the below statement after the longtime leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.
“Hassan Nasrallah’s reign of bloodshed, oppression, and terror has been brought to an end. A puppet of the Iranian regime, he was one of the most brutal terrorists on the planet, and a coward who hid behind women and children to carry out his attacks. Thanks to the brave men and women of the Israeli military, justice was delivered for Israeli victims of his heinous crimes, their families, and the United States. The world is better off without him.
“We call on the Biden-Harris Administration to end its counter-productive calls for a cease-fire and its ongoing diplomatic pressure campaign against Israel. Nasrallah’s death is a major step forward for the Middle East, and today’s victory for peace and security should be used to reassert America’s ironclad support for Israel as it fights for its very right to exist.”
The Secretary-General met with H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates.
The Secretary-General and the Minister discussed regional issues of mutual interest, including the conflict in the Middle East and the war in Sudan. The Secretary-General thanked the United Arab Emirates for its strengthened engagement with the United Nations.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the activation of the Florida Disaster Fund to support communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. The fund is a component of the Volunteer Florida Foundation and supports recovery initiatives including Activate Hope.
The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector, and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.
Donations made to the Disaster Fund are tax-deductible. Donations may be made by visiting FloridaDisasterFund.org, or by mail to the below address. Checks should be made payable to the Volunteer Florida Foundation and should include “Florida Disaster Fund” in the memo line.
Volunteer Florida Foundation Attention: Florida Disaster Fund 1545 Raymond Diehl Road Suite 250 Tallahassee, FL 32308
Serving as the emergency response arm for the Hope Florida initiative, Activate Hope pulls together the private sector, nonprofits, and government resources to help Floridians get back on their feet following disaster. Activate Hope is currently helping to connect Floridians with food, household goods, home repairs, and resources following Hurricane Helene.
Volunteer Florida is the state’s lead agency for volunteerism and community service. Established in 1994 as the Florida Commission on Community Service, Volunteer Florida promotes volunteerism and community service throughout the state, administers national service programs, and coordinates disaster recovery efforts in impacted communities.
The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Albert Shingiro, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Republic of Burundi. The Secretary-General and the Minister discussed the domestic situation in Burundi and United Nations development cooperation. They also discussed key peace and security developments in the Great Lakes region, notably the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. ****
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
09.28.24
Cantwell Celebrates Grand Opening of Largest Public Project in Mount Vernon’s History
New regional transportation hub near I-5 will host largest public EV charging station in the U.S.; Sen. Cantwell secured $3 million for project in FY2024 annual appropriations bill
MOUNT VERNON, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined local officials and community members at the grand opening of the Mount Vernon Library Commons – the largest public project in Mount Vernon’s history.
“Transit oriented development projects like this create more livable communities,” Sen. Cantwell said. “Come up here, recharge, go to the Co-op, stop at the library — see all the wonderful things in Skagit County.
This year alone, we’ve been able to provide [$12.5] million from the bipartisan infrastructure bill for the 78 electrical charging stations and more in the future, and the entire building really is an apex of what energy efficiency is. Even the concrete used to bore the foundation took the environment into consideration,” she continued.
“So it is really, really a great testament to the leadership of this city today […] making this region an even more attractive place to be and live.”
Following the speaking program, Sen. Cantwell joined the community for a ribbon cutting and tour of the new space; b-roll is available for download HERE.
Located right off I-5, the Mount Vernon Library Commons will serve as a regional transportation hub, featuring a public library, a young adult STEM center, a community conference center, a commercial kitchen, and charging stations for electric vehicles and electric bicycles. The facility boasts 76 public EV charging spaces and infrastructure to increase capacity by 200 stations, making it the largest public EV charging station in the country.
The Library Commons was awarded a $12.5 million Charging & Fueling Infrastructure Grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Sen. Cantwell championed. She also secured a $3 million Congressionally Directed Spending request for the Library Commons project in the FY 2024 annual Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The Library Commons project also received a $26.8 million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) loan, the first ever TOD loan in the nation, which saved the City of Mount Vernon $3 million.
The Library Commons is the first publicly bid building in Washington state to be certified to Passive House standards – one of the highest environmental certifications for reduced energy use. The building utilizes solar panels that supply 19-21% of the building’s power demand.
Video of the speaking program and b-roll of the ribbon cutting and tour are HERE; photos are HERE; and a transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s remarks is HERE.
NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will soon dock with the International Space Station as part of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission, a venture which will enhance scientific research and bolster the knowledge about how people can live and work in space. During the planned five-month mission, Hague’s mission tasks will include participating in a variety of research projects for NASA’s Human Research Program. Each study is designed to help address the health challenges that astronauts may face during future long-duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. “Hague’s experiences and research may potentially lead to scientific breakthroughs that may not be possible on Earth,” said Steven Platts, chief scientist for human research at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. A major focus for Hague’s time aboard the station is to study the suite of space-related vision disorders called Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) which occur as body fluids shift toward the head in weightlessness. These shifts can cause changes to the eye: the optic nerve can swell, the retina may develop folds, and the back of the eye can even flatten. Earlier research suggests multiple factors contribute to the syndrome, so two vision-related studies on this mission will tackle different yet distinct approaches that may help address or even prevent such changes during future missions. One project, called Thigh Cuff, will explore whether wearing fitted cuffs could counter the syndrome by keeping more bodily fluids in the legs. Thigh cuffs are compact, lightweight, and easy to use, which makes them appealing for potential use during long-duration, deep space missions. For this study, Hague will wear the thigh cuffs for six hours during two sessions. To help researchers measure how well the cuffs work, he will record ultrasound images of blood flow in his legs and neck veins during the sessions. Researchers will also compare this data against ultrasounds taken without the cuff to examine flow differences. “Thigh cuffs like these may allow researchers to better investigate medical conditions that result in extra fluid in the brain or too much blood returning to the heart,” said study leader Brandon Macias at NASA Johnson. In another study, Hague will test if a vitamin regimen may help combat SANS. The study, led by Sara Zwart, a nutritional biochemist at NASA Johnson, seeks to examine if a daily vitamin B supplement—taken before, during, and after flight—can prevent or mitigate swelling at the back of the eye. The research will also assess how an individual’s genetics may influence the response. “Earlier research suggests that some people are more susceptible to this ocular syndrome than others based on genetics that can influence B vitamin requirements, so taking daily vitamins may make all the difference,” Zwart said. “We think by giving the B vitamins, we could be taking that piece of genetic variability out of the equation.” The work also may eventually improve care options for women on Earth with polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that can cause eye changes and infertility in women. Researchers hope that patients may similarly benefit from targeting the same genetic pathways and vitamin supplementation as crew members in space. Hague also will record data to study whether a new way of administering a common anti-nausea medicine can help alleviate motion sickness following launch and landing. In this study, Hague can self-administer a novel nasal gel formulation of the medication scopolamine. Hague will note his experiences using this medicine and any other motion sickness aides, including alternative medications or behavioral interventions like specific head movements. This research, led by neuroscientist Scott Wood of NASA Johnson, eventually will include 48 people. “Our goal is to understand how to help future space travelers adapt to motion sickness when living and working in space,” Wood said. “Crew members must stay healthy and perform key tasks, including landing on the Moon and other destinations.” To help NASA plan future missions, Hague also will participate in human research studies that tackle other space challenges, such as avoiding injury upon landing back on Earth and learning how space travel affects the human body on a molecular level. ____ NASA’s Human Research Program pursues the best methods and technologies to support safe, productive human space travel. The program studies how spaceflight affects human bodies and behaviors through science conducted in laboratories, ground-based analogs, commercial missions, and the International Space Station. Such research continues to drive NASA’s mission to innovate ways that keep astronauts healthy and mission-ready as space exploration expands to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11)
Dear Friend,
Yesterday morning around 8:30 a.m., Hurricane Helene hit our beautiful mountains with a ferocity unmatched by any storm in our district’s history. We have witnessed 1,000-year flooding, and with more rain expected this afternoon, we are not out of the woods.
But I have been encouraged by the number of neighbors I’ve seen helping neighbors, and I know our community will persist. Mountain folk are resilient. We will make it through this, together.
To keep you informed, I am committed to sending you a daily update on the steps being taken to respond and recover from Hurricane Helene. Today is update number one, with more information to follow in the coming days. Please make sure to read it through and share it with your friends and family.
Food and water
Far and wide, the biggest need of every county in NC-11 is access to food and potable water.
A total of 37 water systems are on a system-wide boil water advisory across North Carolina, with 31 systems awaiting results to hopefully allow for the water to be turned back on.
Potable water and meals are actively en route from central North Carolina to Western North Carolina.
Air operations for food and water deliveries begin this afternoon in areas without roadway access.
Power and Gas
Power outages are widespread but accessibility for repairs is limited.
Currently, there is no established timeline for restorations.
More than 700,000 North Carolinians lost power due to the storm.
Power for 281,000 of the initial 700,000 has been restored, but Western North Carolina faces a unique challenge due to the high number of road closures throughout the district.
Duke Energy warns that Western North Carolinians should be prepared for potential multi-day outages, though energy providers are doing everything they can to restore power quickly.
Duke Energy has 11,000 workers working quickly and safely on repairs, including additional crews from 19 states and Canada.
Fuel planning is ongoing for both rescue operations and communications resources.
Fuel contracts have been activated.
A fuel contract provides a steady fuel reserve during an emergency.
For local governments in need of fuel for their vehicles
Ensure your Emergency Operation Center has submitted the request for gasoline with North Carolina Emergency Management to have your request processed and gasoline delivered.
Gasoline can also be delivered via air if road access is limited.
Roads
North Carolina Department of Transportation has issued a “DO NOT DRIVE” message for Western North Carolina.
Unless it is an emergency, please do not try to travel.
Roughly 400 roads are closed in Western North Carolina, with the majority being in Henderson (50), Buncombe (25) and Jackson (21) counties.
73 of these are primary routes including I-40, I-26, U.S. 74 at I-40 in Asheville, and dozens of U.S. and N.C. routes.
Most of the current closures are due to high water where the roadway is impassable or flooded, land/rockslides, downed power lines, pipe failures, and fallen trees.
More than 1,500 employees from across the state have deployed to Western North Carolina to address road closures related to the storm.
Crews are actively working to clear trees and rock/landslide debris throughout Western North Carolina to reestablish accessibility, including clearing efforts along the I-40 and I-26 corridors.
Asheville Regional Airport
Asheville Regional Airport closed mid-day on Friday, September 27 due to flooding.
The airport is expected to reopen by mid-day today, Saturday, September 28.
Cell Service
Western North Carolina has seen severe cell service outages due to the severe weather.
Madison County is worst affected, with less than 8 percent capacity available through Verizon.
Service providers have deployed Compact Rapid Deployables throughout Western North Carolina, including to Hendersonville, Lake Junaluska, and Waynesville, with more en route.
Compact Rapid Deployables are a transportable cell tower and internet access point, that can generate wired internet and wi-fi coverage anytime and anywhere.
Service providers have deployed SatCOLTs throughout Western North Carolina, including to Asheville and Hendersonville, with more en route.
SatCOLT stands for “Satellite Cells on Light Trucks” and are vehicles with mobile cell sites that connect via satellite and do not rely on commercial power supply.
North Carolina National Guard
410 North Carolina National Guard soldiers and airmen have been deployed to provide support to Western North Carolina so far.
This includes the deployment of 146 vehicles and 12 aircraft.
The Asheville National Guard armory has relocated to East Flat Rock due to lost power so they may continue operations and providing support to Western North Carolina.
Shelters
For those unable to evacuate to a safe location or in need of a place to go, the following shelters are currently open and available as of September 28:
